Page 103 - ΝΑΥΤΙΚΑ ΧΡΟΝΙΚΑ - ΣΕΠΤΕΜΒΡΙΟΣ 2022

THE

BRIDGE

VRA are encouraged to register with the Mar- small amounts of water can ruin a part of the
itime Security Centre for the Horn of Africa cargo and result in a claim against the ship. In
(MSCHOA) in accordance with industry BMP general, Class and statutory rules and associ-
Best Management Practices (BMP). Therefore, ated inspections will mainly look at the safety
carrying out threat and risk assessments and of the vessel and crew. The industry (charter-
following best management practices is still ers, shippers, receivers, underwriters) will take
necessary to mitigate the risks still present in statutory and Class compliance for granted and
this changeable, often complex, and potentially focus more on the commercial aspects of carrying
threatening environment. goods by sea.
There are two ways to detect a leaking hatch
BULK CARRIERS HATCH COVERS: cover:
INSPECTION, TESTS, & MAINTENANCE 1. Water Hose Leak Detection Test: Water hose
ENSURING A SAFE PASSAGE tests are used to determine the weather
Typically, water-sensitive cargoes like grain, tightness of hatch covers. If correctly per-
steel, fertiliser, ores etc., are transported on dry formed, hose testing will show hatch joints
cargo vessels. These vessels are equipped with that leak. The general procedure for hose
hatch covers to allow swift intake and facilitate testing is to apply a powerful jet of water
easy discharge of the above commodities. from a 20-50mm diameter hose fitted with
A recent study and claims analysis by the Japan a 12mm diameter nozzle held at 1-1.5 metres
P&I club over the 5 years between 2016 and from a hatch joint, moving along the joint at
2020 shows that out of the 161 claims reported, a speed of 1 metre every 2 seconds.
76% involved wetting damage to grain, steel, 2. Ultrasonic hatch leak detection: this is a
and ore cargoes. viable alternative to the hose test for test-
In 74 (or 46%) cases, the seawater damage was ing hatch covers, access doors and access
caused by leaking hatch covers, which shows hatches for weather tightness, as it accu-
hatch covers continue to generate seawater-in- rately locates potential leakage points. This
duced claims and that improperly maintained test should only be carried out using Class
and leaky hatch covers have a high claim poten- Type approved equipment such as Cygnus
tial. When water-susceptible cargo comes into Hatch Sure and approved test procedures.
contact with seawater during an ocean passage, The test should only be carried out using
it is most likely that a claim for wetting damage Class approved equipment and approved
will be filed against the ship by the cargo own- test procedures. It involves placing an elec-
ers/receivers. tronic signal generator inside the cargo hold
If large amounts of water penetrate the ship’s with closed and secured hatches. A sensor
hatch covers, the ship and crew could be in dan- is then passed around the outside of all
ger, but limited water ingress would normally not compression joints. Readings taken by the
cause a safety problem for the ship. sensor indicate points of low compression
However, from a cargo quality point of view, even or potential leakage points.

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